A domestic cooling device with shock freezing

ABSTRACT

A domestic cooling device includes a freezing compartment, at least one chamber which is provided inside the freezing compartment and has at least one partially closed inner space, and at least one air intake opening transferring cool air into the chamber. At least one carrier element receives foodstuff inside the chamber in such a way that there is a clearance between an inner wall of the chamber and the carrier element, permitting air flow on all sides, so that the foodstuff to be frozen is effectively cooled and subjected to a shock freezing process.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a domestic cooling device with shockfreezing in order to subject foodstuff to shock freezing process.

KNOWN STATE OF THE ART

It is desirable that foodstuffs are kept as frozen and then consumedwithout losing its flavor. The freezing process can be realized invarious manners. Accordingly, the foodstuff, which is desired to befrozen, is placed to the freezing compartment, and the freezing processis started. The freezing speed of the foodstuff is very important forpreserving the flavor of the foodstuff.

In the invention WO2010062021, a refrigerator is provided. Therefrigerator may include a cold air generation chamber provided in abody of the refrigerator, the cold air generation chamber having anevaporator installed therein. A cold air duct may form a path throughwhich cold air generated in the cold air generation chamber iscirculated to a freezer compartment, and a quick freezer compartment.The quick freezer compartment may be connected with the cold air duct,and may be positioned substantially nearer to the evaporator than thefreezer compartment. A damper may be installed in the cold air duct toselectively shut off the flow of cold air to the freezer compartment.The quick freezer compartment may be quickly cooled using cold airdirectly supplied from the cold air generation chamber. Furthermore,cold air may be directed into the quick freezer compartment byselectively shutting off the supply of cold air into the freezer orrefrigerator compartment.

In the application with reference EP2546591, a method is disclosed forfast freezing food in a refrigerator apparatus comprising a fresh foodcompartment, a freezer compartment, a refrigeration system having acompressor, a condenser, a first evaporator situated in said freezercompartment, and a second evaporator situated in said fresh foodcompartment, and in which at least a fan situated in said freezercompartment is used for providing air flow over said first evaporatorand over a food item to be fast frozen, the method comprising the stepsof switching on the compressor when the temperature in the fresh foodcompartment is above a predetermined first set value and to switch onthe fan when the compressor is running. When the temperature in thefresh food compartment is below the predetermined first set value thecompressor is switched off and the fan is kept running until thetemperature in the freezer compartment reaches a predetermined secondset value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a domestic coolingdevice for subjecting the foodstuff to shock freezing process.

The present invention is a domestic cooling device comprising a freezingcompartment, at least one chamber provided inside the freezingcompartment and having at least one partially closed inner space, and atleast one air intake opening transferring cool air into the chamber.Accordingly, there is at least one carrier element for carryingfoodstuff inside the chamber such that there is a clearance between theinner wall of the chamber and the carrier element in a manner permittingair flow through all sides, so that said foodstuff, desired to befrozen, is effectively cooled and subjected to a shock freezing process.Thus, the cool air, entering into the chamber, circulates around thefoodstuff to be frozen, and it cools the foodstuff from all sides, andthe shock freezing process is realized.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier elementis provided in face of the air intake opening. Thus, the air, enteringinto the chamber, is prevented from contacting another surface and fromchanging the temperature thereof, and thus, the coolest form of the air,which enters into the chamber, reaches the foodstuff which is desired tobe frozen.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least oneguidance flap is provided which extends at least partially along theedge of the air intake opening, in order to guide the cool air, enteringinto the chamber, towards the carrier element. Thus, the air, whichpasses through the air intake opening, is guided to the carrier elementwithout spreading, and thus, said air is guided towards the foodstuffwhich is desired to be frozen.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guidance flapextends along the edges of the air intake opening. Thus, the air, whichpasses through the air intake opening, is guided to the carrier elementwithout spreading, and thus, said air is guided towards the foodstuffwhich is desired to be frozen.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one chamberwall is provided which extends in an at least partially inclined mannerwith respect to the air flow direction in order to guide the cool air ofthe chamber towards the sections of the carrier element which aredistant from the air intake opening. Thus, the air, passing over thefoodstuff without hitting said foodstuff, is guided towards the otherside of the foodstuff. Moreover, the air circulation inside the chamberis facilitated.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said chamber wall isa chamber ceiling defined at the upper side of the carrier element.Thus, cool air intake can be provided through the upper section of thechamber against the rising of relatively hot air inside the chamber, andit can be guided downwards from here. The air intake opening can beprovided at the upper sections of the chamber, and the below mentionedair output opening can be provided at the bottom section of the chamber.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chambercomprises at least one air output opening for permitting the output ofthe input cool air. Thus, the air circulating inside the chamber absorbsthe heat of the foodstuff, and afterwards, it leaves the chamber.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the total openingarea provided for air output by means of at least one air output openingis smaller than the total opening area provided for air intake by meansof at least one air intake opening. Thus, the air output from thechamber becomes difficult when compared with air intake into thechamber, and since the air circulates sufficiently inside the chamber,more efficient cooling is achieved. As the inner pressure is increased,the number of contacts of the cool air particles to the foodstuff isincreased, and thus, heat transfer efficiency is increased.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, pluralities of airoutput openings are provided on the chamber wall. Thus, air iscirculated inside the chamber and it leaves the chamber in a controlledmanner.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air outputopening is provided on the chamber base. Thus, air is circulated insidethe chamber and it leaves the chamber in a controlled manner. Moreover,while the foodstuff is cooled, the relatively hotter air leaves thechamber without rising inside the chamber.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier elementis provided in a removable manner from the chamber. Thus, the foodstuff,which is desired to be cooled, is easily placed into the carrierelement.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chamber isprovided in a removable manner from the freezing compartment. Thus, intimes where shock freezing process is not realized, the space occupationof the chamber inside the freezing compartment is prevented.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier elementcomprises walls in grid form permitting air intake thereto. Thus, thecool air enters into the carrier element, and it contacts the foodstuffdirectly and with the maximum contact area as possible.

The present invention is a shock freezing method for a domestic coolingdevice. Accordingly, said method comprises the steps of:

-   -   placing the foodstuff, desired to be subjected to the shock        freezing process, into the carrier element by the user,    -   starting the shock freezing process and thus starting the        counting of the process duration through the control panel of        the cooling device,    -   calculating the shock freezing duration,    -   comparing the process duration and the shock freezing duration        and terminating the shock freezing process in case the process        duration is equal to or greater than the shock freezing        duration.

Thus, the foodstuff is cooled from all sides for a sufficient duration,and it is subjected to shock freezing process.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is the step ofterminating the shock freezing process when the temperature in thechamber reaches −40° C. or becomes lower than −40° C. Thus, thefoodstuff, which is desired to be cooled, is prevented from burning as aresult of cold.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is the step ofcalculating the shock freezing duration according to the type and amountof the foodstuff to be frozen. Thus, the shock freezing duration iscalculated according to the type (meat, fish, chicken, etc.) and amountof the foodstuff, and processing for longer or shorter durations isprevented.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is the step ofdeactivating air circulation in any compartment except the freezingcompartment accommodating the shock freezing chamber of the domesticcooling device during the shock freezing process. Thus, the wholecooling performance of the domestic cooling device is guided to thefreezing compartment.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is the step ofclosing the other air intake openings except the air intake openingconnected to the chamber in the freezing compartment during the shockfreezing process. Thus, the whole air, entering into the freezingcompartment, firstly passes through the chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a representative view of the subject matter domestic coolingdevice.

FIG. 2 is a representative view of the freezing compartment of thesubject matter domestic cooling device.

FIG. 3 is a representative view of the shock freezing chamber of thesubject matter domestic cooling device.

THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter domestic cooling device(1) is explained with references to examples without forming anyrestrictive effect only in order to make the subject moreunderstandable.

With reference to FIG. 1, the subject matter domestic cooling device (1)has at least one freezing compartment (10). The cooling compartment (40)can be provided above or below said freezing compartment (10). There maybe more than one cooling compartment (40), or compartments withdifferent functions can be provided besides the freezing compartment(10).

With reference to FIG. 2, there is at least one air intake opening (13)which transfers cool air into the freezing compartment (10) of thesubject matter domestic cooling device (1). Said air intake opening (13)is preferably provided on a rear wall (12) of the freezing compartment(10). At least one shock freezing chamber (20) is provided inside thefreezing compartment (10). Said shock freezing chamber (20) is providedin the vicinity of the air intake opening (13). In a possible embodimentof the present invention, the shock freezing chamber (20) is positionedin the freezing compartment (10) in a removable manner. The shockfreezing chamber (20) comprises pluralities of chamber walls (23) whichdefine a volume which is at least partially closed. Moreover, at leastone of the chamber walls (23) is provided in an openable manner like acover. Thus, access into the shock freezing chamber (20) is possible.The chamber wall (23) provided in cover form is in hinged or slidingform. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the air intakeopening (13), which is provided at the freezing compartment (10), isdirectly opened into the shock freezing chamber (20).

As can be seen in FIG. 3, there is at least one carrier element (30)provided inside the shock freezing chamber (20). Said carrier element(30) has a volume wherein the foodstuff (60), which will be subject tothe freezing process, can be positioned. In a possible embodiment of thepresent invention, the upper side of the carrier element (30) isprovided in open form in order to provide placement of the foodstuff(60) inside the carrier element (30). The carrier element (30) is usedfor effectively cooling the foodstuff (60) from all sides. In order toprovide this, the carrier element (30) is positioned in a mannerpermitting air flow between itself and the inner wall of the shockfreezing chamber (20). In possible embodiments of the present invention,the carrier element (30) can be connected to chamber walls (23) by meansof legs or hanger features. Thus, a specific clearance is providedbetween the carrier element (30) and the chamber wall (23) from allsides of the carrier element (30), and air flow becomes possible. In apossible embodiment of the present invention, the carrier element (30)is provided in wire lattice form. Thus, air intake into the carrierelement (30) is facilitated. In a possible embodiment of the presentinvention, the carrier element (30) is positioned in face of the airintake opening (13). Thus, the air, entering into the shock freezingchamber (20), flows directly towards the foodstuff (60).

There is at least one guidance flap (25) provided in the vicinity of theair intake opening (13). Said guidance flap (25) guides the cool air,passing through the air intake opening (13), towards the carrier element(30) without spreading around, and thus, the cool air is guided towardsthe foodstuff (60) provided therein. The guidance flap (25) at leastpartially extends along the edge of the air intake opening (13). In apossible embodiment of the present invention, the guidance flap (25) isprovided along all edges of the air intake opening (13). The guidanceflap (25) can be provided in an integrated or removable manner to theshock freezing chamber (20) or to the rear wall (12) of the freezingcompartment (10).

At least one chamber wall (23) of the shock freezing chamber (20) isprovided in an inclined form in a manner guiding cool air towards thesides of the foodstuff (60) which are far from the air intake opening(13). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chamberceiling (24) is provided in an inclined form towards the carrier element(30) from the side thereof which is close to the air intake opening(13). Thus, the air, which passes without contacting the carrier element(30) and the foodstuff (60), is guided towards the back side of thefoodstuff (60). In possible embodiments of the present invention, thechamber walls (23) or the chamber ceiling (24) can be provided inconcave form.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the shock freezing chamber (20) has at leastone air output opening (22). Said air output opening (22) is provided onat least one of the chamber walls (23). In a possible embodiment of thepresent invention, the air output opening (22) is provided on thechamber base (21). By means of the air output openings (22), the air,entering into the shock freezing chamber (20), sufficiently circulates,and it leaves the shock freezing chamber (20). In a possible embodimentof the present invention, the total opening area provided for air outputby means of at least one air output opening (22) is smaller than thetotal opening area provided for air intake by means of at least one airintake opening (13). Thus, the output of air from the shock freezingchamber (20) is made difficult when compared with input of air, andsince air sufficiently circulates inside the shock freezing chamber(20), more cooling is realized. Moreover, as the inner pressureincreases, the number of contacts of the cool air particles to thefoodstuff is increased, and thus, heat transfer efficiency is increased.In a possible embodiment of the present invention, pluralities of airoutput openings (22) are provided on the chamber wall (23) or on thechamber walls (23). Accordingly, the air output openings (22) can bearranged in a predetermined arrangement. By means of this, movementdirection of the air which circulates inside the shock freezing chamber(20) can be controlled, and the amount and the direction of said airoutput from the shock freezing chamber (20) can be controlled. Thus, thefoodstuff (60) can be effectively cooled from all sides in the desiredmanner. On the other hand, since the air intake opening (13) is at aposition which is close to the chamber ceiling (24), the air outputopenings (22) are provided on the chamber base (21), and the air staysin the shock freezing chamber (20) for the longest time durationpossible. In a possible embodiment, there are five spaced apart airoutput opening (22) groups as illustrated in FIG. 3. The five air outputopenings (22) in the group are arranged on a linear line. There are twogroups, including five openings, in the embodiment illustrated in thefigure. The two linear groups are formed in a parallel manner.

In the subject matter domestic cooling device (1), while shock freezingprocess is realized, the foodstuff (60) is subjected to shock freezingprocess for a predetermined shock freezing duration (t2). Accordingly,the shock freezing method applied in the subject matter domestic coolingdevice (1) comprises the following steps:

-   -   placing the foodstuff (60), desired to be subjected to the shock        freezing process, into the carrier element (30) by the user,    -   starting the shock freezing process and thus starting the        counting of the process duration (t1) through the control panel        (50) of the domestic cooling device (1),    -   calculating the shock freezing duration (t2),    -   comparing the process duration (t1) and the shock freezing        duration (t2) and terminating the shock freezing process in case        the process duration (t1) is equal to or greater than the shock        freezing duration (t2).

Thus, the foodstuff (60) is cooled from all sides for a sufficientduration, and it is subjected to the shock freezing process.

On the other hand, the shock freezing process is terminated when thetemperature in the shock freezing chamber (20) reaches −40° C. or whenit becomes lower than −40° C. Thus, the foodstuff (60), which is desiredto be cooled, is prevented from burning as a result of cold.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of calculating theshock freezing duration (t2) can be carried out before the step ofstarting the shock freezing process.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the shock freezingduration (t2) is calculated according to the type and amount of thefoodstuff (60) to be frozen. Thus, the shock freezing duration iscalculated according to the type (meat, fish, chicken, etc.) and amountof the foodstuff (60), and processing for longer or shorter durations isprevented. Said shock freezing duration can be predefined according tothe possible foodstuff type and amounts, or the user may be requested toenter this duration.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, during the shockfreezing process, the air circulation in any compartment can bedeactivated except the freezing compartment (10) accommodating the shockfreezing chamber (20) of the domestic cooling device (1). Thus, thewhole cooling performance of the domestic cooling device (1) is guidedto the freezing compartment (10).

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, during the shockfreezing process, the other air intake openings (13) are closed exceptthe air intake opening (13) connected to the chamber (20) in thefreezing compartment (10). Thus, all air, entering into the freezingcompartment (10), firstly passes through the shock freezing chamber(20).

As a result of the applied method and all of the structural details, thefoodstuff (60) is effectively cooled from all sides, and it is possibleto freeze the foodstuff (60) in the form of shock freezing. Thus,deteriorations in the cell structure of the foodstuff (60) areprevented, and the foodstuff (60) is kept without losing its flavor andcharacteristics.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Domestic cooling device

10 Freezing compartment

-   -   11 Freezer base    -   12 Rear wall    -   13 Air intake opening

20 Chamber

-   -   21 Chamber base    -   22 Air output opening    -   23 Chamber wall    -   24 Chamber ceiling    -   25 Guidance flap

30 Carrier element

40 Cooling compartment

50 Control panel

60 Foodstuff

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A domestic cooling device, comprising: a freezing compartment; at least one chamber disposed inside said freezing compartment, said at least one chamber having an inner wall defining at least one partially closed inner space; at least one air intake opening for transferring cool air into said at least one chamber; and at least one carrier element for receiving foodstuff, said at least one carrier element being disposed inside said at least one chamber and providing a clearance between said inner wall of said at least one chamber and said at least one carrier element permitting air flow on all sides of the foodstuff for effectively cooling and subjecting the foodstuff to be frozen to shock freezing.
 20. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one carrier element faces said at least one air intake opening.
 21. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one air intake opening has an edge, and at least one guidance flap extends at least partially along said edge for guiding the cool air entering into said at least one chamber towards said at least one carrier element.
 22. The domestic cooling device according to claim 21, wherein said edge of said at least one air intake opening is one of a plurality of edges of said at least one air intake opening, and said at least one guidance flap extends along said plurality of edges of said at least one air intake opening.
 23. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one chamber has at least one chamber wall extending in an at least partially inclined manner relative to an air flow direction for guiding the cool air in said at least one chamber towards sections of said at least one carrier element being distant from said at least one air intake opening.
 24. The domestic cooling device according to claim 23, wherein said at least one carrier element has an upper side, and said inner wall of said at least one chamber is a chamber ceiling disposed at said upper side of said at least one carrier element.
 25. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one chamber has at least one air output opening permitting the cool air entering into said at least one chamber to exit.
 26. The domestic cooling device according to claim 25, wherein a total opening area provided for air exiting through said at least one air output opening is smaller than a total opening area provided for air intake by said at least one air intake opening.
 27. The domestic cooling device according to claim 25, wherein said at least one chamber has a plurality of said air output openings.
 28. The domestic cooling device according to claim 25, wherein said at least one chamber has a chamber base, and said at least one air output opening is provided in said chamber base.
 29. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one carrier element is removable from said at least one chamber.
 30. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one chamber is removable from said freezing compartment.
 31. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one carrier element has walls in a grid permitting air intake into said at least one carrier element.
 32. A shock freezing method for a domestic cooling device, the method comprising the following steps: providing a domestic cooling device including a freezing compartment, at least one chamber inside the freezing compartment, the at least one chamber having an inner wall defining at least one partially closed inner space, at least one air intake opening for transferring cool air into the at least one chamber, at least one carrier element for receiving foodstuff, the at least one carrier element being disposed inside the at least one chamber and providing a clearance between the inner wall of the at least one chamber and the at least one carrier element permitting air flow on all sides of the foodstuff for effectively cooling and subjecting the foodstuff to be frozen to a shock freezing process, and a control panel; manually placing foodstuff to be subjected to the shock freezing process into the at least one carrier element; using the control panel to start the shock freezing process and to start counting a process duration; calculating a shock freezing duration; comparing the process duration and the shock freezing duration; and terminating the shock freezing process if the process duration is equal to or greater than the shock freezing duration.
 33. The shock freezing method according to claim 32, which further comprises carrying out the step of terminating the shock freezing process when a temperature in the at least one chamber reaches −40° C. or becomes lower than −40° C.
 34. The shock freezing method according to claim 32, which further comprises carrying out the step of calculating the shock freezing duration according to a type and amount of the foodstuff to be frozen.
 35. The shock freezing method according to claim 32, which further comprises, during the shock freezing process, deactivating air circulation in any compartment of the domestic cooling device except the freezing compartment accommodating the at least one chamber.
 36. The shock freezing method according to claim 32, which further comprises, during the shock freezing process, closing air intake openings other than the at least one air intake opening leading to the at least one chamber in the freezing compartment. 